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Goals

Make healthy eating and drinking decisions

1 Person
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

Maintain my goal weight within 5 pounds on either side at any given time

1 Person
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this

weigh less than 170

3 People
 in progress, 
2 People
 achieved this

lose at least 100 Pounds

13 People
 in progress, 
4 People
 achieved this

weigh less than 180

4 People
 in progress, 
3 People
 achieved this
View Other Goals
Surgeon Testimonial

David Podkameni M.D.
My first impression of Dr Podkameni was that he was very knowledgable & experienced. Over time, I found him to be strict but communicated very welll with me, and I could even joke with him some. Some members of his staff have had bariatric surgery (nurses & the dietician, Donna) so they know what they are talking about because they have lived it.

I found it odd that he didn't care about taking labs since it was June when I had pre op labs but my surgery didn't happen until November. Also, I found him to be overly structured and strict at times, but I am a person who likes to test limits...lol

There is a lot of support with the Banner Gateway Bariatric program, ranging from pre op to post op support groups. They even have a clothing exchange program!

The thing that I am most impressed with Dr P is that he is thorough, methodical, and careful with his patients. During my surgery, he found a benign tumor on my liver, and repaired a hiatal hernia I didn't even know I had! Afterwards, when I had some nausea, dry heaves, and a bad rebound headache (probably from the pain meds), he gave a combination of meds thru the IV that took care of all three problems. That made the difference in me having to stay an extra day or not. (I got to go home as scheduled.)
Member Interests
  • Cats - I have 5 cats...My husband wishes we only had 2 or 3...
  • Museums & Art Galleries - I love the Getty & the Getty Villa! I have been to the Smithsonian National Art
  • Walking - I am glad we have spring & fall in the year so I can be outdoors!
  • Computer Games - I am addicted to Frontierville on Facebook!
  • Movies - Always ready to for a movie! I love vintage movies from the 1940's.
  • Flowers - My favorites are lilacs and gardenias...
  • Scrapbooks - This is an extension of my love for old family photos & genealogy.
  • Cooking & Baking - I love cooking when I am feeling healthy!
  • Swimming - We have a pool and I look forward to swim season!
  • WLS in your 40's - I will be about 43 when I have my sleeve gastrectomy Nov 16th.

sedonagirl67's Journey

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Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.
I felt like I was weak and couldn't lose weight because I wasn't disciplined enough. I had accepted that I would be a "big girl" for the rest of my life. It took several years to get there but I never felt picked on...just didn't have any energy...and I don't think I realized how much more I was eating than "normal" people. I always felt hungry...
Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by theresam74 on 11/16/10 7:44 am
    Good luck, my prayers are with you.
  • Comment by peyton88 on 11/16/10 2:20 am
    I've enjoyed reading your pre-op blog! I wish you all the best with your surgery and post-op journey! Get ready for the ride of your life!!
Click here for the surgery support page
sedonagirl67's Blog
sedonagirl67's Blog

Week 1 of Recommitting...
posted on 6/4/12 11:17 pm
Last week, I wrote about recommitting myself to a moderately low carb lifestyle after disclosing how easy it is to eat cookies and breads, etc now.  Hunger is back in full force, like a starving lion.  So here is how my first week went down...

Things that seem to help so far...

1.  Systematically going thru all the labels of stuff I Iike to eat, so that I can get a good reality check on how many carbs and calories I am really getting.

2.  Loading up on nuts! It's amazing how a 1/4 cup of my current favorites...namely the Emerald Sweet & Salty Mixed Nut Blends (dark chocolate peanut butter is my fav) and Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Almonds (butter toffee flavor is divine!)...can fill up the bottomless pit (i.e. Sleevie).

3.  Making myself drink more, especially if I think I am hungry.  I try to get in a minimum of 16 oz before I let myself eat.  I am also making a big pitcher of protein drink nearly every day.  My current favorite uses 2 c Silk Chocolate light (soymilk), 6 TBS PB2 - the chocolate one, 2 TBS creamy peanut butter, 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder, a pinch of salt, and at least 4 cups of ice & water.   I share this pitcher with the rest of my family, so I am drinking roughly 16 - 24 oz a day in high protein, low carb drinks...very filling and it tastes like a Reese's PB cup!  Now that we are in summer survival mode, I am adding more ice and water to whatever I am drinking...this way I am getting more water in my body.

4.  Writing down everything I am eating and drinking. I didn't realize how many calories and carbs I was getting in some favorite drinks....such as vitamin waters...I can't stand the zero calorie form of this brand, so I am drinking Propel zero cal drinks instead. Writing everything down has helped me tweak my diet by helping me see where I am getting most of my calories, carbs, and proteins so I can adjust...  The first 2 days of writing helped me see I was getting about 110 - 120 carbs and 1400 - 1600 calories.  My goals are 100 carbs or less, and 1200 - 1400 calories, with at least 80 grams of protein.  

5.  Letting myself have one piece of bread, toast, or cookie each day.  Allowing myself up to 100 grams of carbs per day accommodates me having 1 piece of toast with my egg & bacon... or stealing a small chocolate chip cookie if I don't have the toast.

6.  Filling up on salads.  I like those Caesar Salad kits you can find at the grocery store...I just don't give myself more than a couple of croutons.  We also have Paradise Bakeries around Phoenix, so I get their smaller sized Asian chicken salad with a full chicken breast...and take out most of the crispy noodles.  It takes 2 meals to eat the whole thing...or longer.

7.  Including more meat on a daily basis.  For the longest time, I struggled being able to eat any kind of meat (except bacon...lol) but since my tummy finally healed (it took 17 months for me not to be in pain or have nausea anymore) I have realized that I need denser proteins to eat (hence the meat and nuts.)

8.  I satisfy my need for fresh fruits with low carb ones...namely berries and now peaches!  Summer fruits are generally lower on the glycemic scale (any type of berry, peaches, etc)...Tropical ones tend to be the higher sugar versions (mangoes, bananas, pineapple, papaya, etc) 

9.  I make sure I have my favorite sweeteners with me (Xylitol) so I am not tempted to use sugar or honey... I have a sweet tooth so this is a must for me.


As I go into week 2, I am hoping my weight continues staying down to 160 - 162 (which is where I am sitting currently.)  I am doing okay with it all, but its not perfect.  I'm not trying to be perfect though... I just want to be vigilant against regain, and be healthy, without feeling like I am missing out on things.  This is what I can live with...


11 Responses to "Week 1 of Recommitting..."


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